‘Wonderland’ is Next Big Project from FAMU Grad

“Wonderland” is one project on a quickly growing list for Montrel Miller, a business economics graduate of Florida A&M. Other works include the Adult Swim commercial for the movie “Takers” and a supporting role in “Firebird,” starring Michael Ealy, which will be in theaters this summer.

“Wonderland” will be a featured film in The Sprite Refreshing Films contest. The contest features films made by young talent that Sprite selected from around the country. The contestants then make a movie in six different U.S. cities: Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles and Miami. For each group, Sprite arranged for a celebrity actor to star in the movies. Natasha Bedingfield will be starring in “Wonderland.”

“When Montrel Miller came to the audition, he was the most enthusiastic,” said Shannon Jones, director of “Wonderland,” the Atlanta Sprite Refreshing Films entry. “He was cast as a supporting actor, but he was so enthusiastic that I almost found a role for him.”

The contest pits two different cities against each other in each phase. Chicago and New York are currently competing and voting ends April 11. Atlanta’s “Wonderland,” which stars Miller, will begin competing April 12 against Dallas and voting will continue until April 22. Last is Los Angeles and Miami, competing from April 23 to May 2.

The final three movies will progress to the final stage. At this stage, industry professionals will view the films and offer input that will help decide the winner. From there, the winner will have the film shown at a major film festival.

“I have had friends see the contest advertised in theaters when they go to see movies,” said Miller. “It is a lot of exposure.”

Miller started his career in Tallahassee. Studying under Marlene Dubois, Miller took acting classes at Florida State University and was active in the Tallahassee Little Theatre.

“I auditioned for local shows by Tallahassee Little Theatre and I also got some parts in student films,” said Miller. “Then I moved to Atlanta and started working with Nick Conti and I got a good agent that has got me roles on commercials and films.”

To view the films entered in the Sprite Refreshing Films contest, go to www.spriterefreshingfilms.com. Starting April 12, viewers will be able to watch the full version of “Wonderland.”

To vote, text the keyword of the film, ex. ATL for Atlanta, to 777483 with a limit of 500, but Sprite bottle cap codes can be used for more votes.